Developer storing body having a movable outlet shutter member, image forming unit and image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A developer storing body is detachably attached to an image forming unit main body of an image forming unit. The developer storing body includes a cartridge main body for storing a developer. The cartridge main body has a developer outlet opening through which the developer is ejected. The developer storing body includes an outlet shutter member movable with respect to the cartridge main body so as to open and close the developer outlet opening. A movable direction of the outlet shutter member is substantially the same as a direction in which the developer storing body is attached to or detached from the image forming unit main body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a developer storing body, a developingdevice, an image forming unit and an image forming apparatus.

A general image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, afacsimile machine or a combined machine is configured to form a tonerimage by uniformly charging a surface of a photosensitive drum using acharging roller, exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum usingan LED head to thereby form a latent image, and developing the latentimage using a developing unit. The developing unit includes a developingroller, a toner supplying roller, a developing blade or the like. Atoner as a developer is supplied to the developing roller by means ofthe supplying roller, and a thin toner layer is formed on the surface ofthe developing roller by means of the developing blade. The toner on thedeveloping roller adheres to the surface of the photosensitive drum, anddevelops the latent image to form a toner image.

The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferredto a sheet by means of a transferring roller, and then the toner imageis fixed to the sheet by means of a fixing unit.

The photosensitive drum, the charging roller, the developing roller, thetoner supplying roller, the developing blade and the like constitute animage forming unit. A toner cartridge is detachably attached to a mainbody of the image forming unit (i.e., an image forming unit main body)for supplying the toner to the image forming unit main body. The tonercartridge is replaced when the toner stored in the toner cartridge isused up.

The toner cartridge includes a toner outlet opening disposed at a bottomof a cartridge main body. Further, a shutter is rotatably providedinside the toner cartridge to open and close the toner outlet opening.The shutter has a shutter opening corresponding to the toner outletopening. The toner outlet opening is opened when the shutter opening isaligned with the toner outlet opening, and is closed when the shutteropening is not aligned with the toner outlet opening. The shutterfurther includes an operating portion which is to be operated by anoperator for opening and closing the toner outlet opening. When theoperating portion is operated by the operator, the shutter rotates toopen or close the toner outlet opening, and causes the toner cartridgeand the image forming unit main body to engage each other or disengagefrom each other.

A replacing operation of the toner cartridge is performed as follows.First, the operator operates the operating portion of the shutter toclose the toner outlet opening of the toner cartridge (attached to theimage forming unit) by means of the shutter, and to release engagementbetween the toner cartridge and the image forming unit main body. Then,the operator detaches the toner cartridge from the image forming unitmain body while holding a grip portion of the toner cartridge.Thereafter, the operator attaches a new toner cartridge to the imageforming unit main body. Then, the operator operates the operatingportion of the shutter to cause the new toner cartridge and the imageforming unit main body to engage each other, and to open the toneroutlet opening for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.2000-181224).

Recently, it is demanded to further enhance operability of a replacingoperation of a toner cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to provide a developer storing body,an image forming unit and an image forming apparatus capable ofenhancing operability of a replacing operation of the developer storingbody.

The present invention provides a developer storing body detachablyattached to an image forming unit main body of an image forming unit.The developer storing body includes a cartridge main body for storing adeveloper. The cartridge main body has a developer outlet openingthrough which the developer is ejected. The developer storing bodyincludes an outlet shutter member movable with respect to the cartridgemain body so as to open and close the developer outlet opening. Amovable direction of the outlet shutter member is substantially the sameas a direction in which the developer storing body is attached to anddetached from the image forming unit main body.

Since the outlet shutter member is movable in a direction substantiallythe same as the direction in which the developer storing body isattached to and detached from the image forming unit main body, anoperator can intuitively handle the developer storing body with fewmotions. Therefore, operability of the replacing operation of thedeveloper storing body is enhanced.

The present invention also provides a developer storing body including acartridge main body for storing a developer. The cartridge main body hasa developer outlet opening through which the developer is ejected. Thedeveloper storing body further includes an outlet shutter member movablewith respect to the cartridge main body. The outlet shutter is moved byan operation of an operating portion. The cartridge main body has aprotrusion that protrudes in a predetermined direction. The outletshutter member is movable in a direction substantially parallel to thepredetermined direction in which the protrusion protrudes.

The present invention also provides an image forming unit including theabove described developer storing body and an image forming unit mainbody to which the developer storing body is detachably attached. Theimage forming unit main body includes a developing process cartridgehaving a developer inlet opening for receiving the developer ejectedfrom the developer storing body, and an inlet shutter member for openingand closing the developer inlet opening. The developing processcartridge has a to-be-locked portion brought into engagement with alocking portion of the developer storing body. The inlet shutter memberis movable in conjunction with the outlet shutter member of thedeveloper storing body.

The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus to whichthe above described image forming unit is mounted.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificembodiments, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention,are given by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a printer as an image formingapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a casing in which an image formingunit according to the first embodiment of the present invention ishoused.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a developer storing portionaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the developer storingportion according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view showing the toner cartridge accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the toner cartridgeaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing the toner cartridge according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the toner cartridge according to the firstembodiment of the present invention as seen from a direction shown by anarrow 10 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a first perspective view for illustrating an attaching anddetaching operation of the toner cartridge with respect to an imageforming unit main body according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a second perspective view for 1 rating the attaching anddetaching operation of the toner cartridge with respect to the imageforming unit main body according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a third perspective view for illustrating the attaching anddetaching operation of the toner cartridge with respect to the imageforming unit main body according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a fourth perspective view for illustrating the attaching anddetaching operation of the toner cartridge with respect to the imageforming unit main body according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a first perspective view showing an inlet shutter memberduring the attaching and detaching operation of the toner cartridge withrespect to the image forming unit main body according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a second perspective view showing the inlet shutter memberduring the attaching and detaching operation of the toner cartridge withrespect to the image forming unit main body according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a third perspective view showing the inlet shutter memberduring the attaching and detaching operation of the toner cartridge withrespect to the image forming unit main body according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention in a state where an outletshutter member is in an opening position.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view for illustrating an opening and closingoperation of the outlet shutter member according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21A is a first sectional view for illustrating the opening andclosing operation of the outlet shutter member according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21B and 21C are enlarged sectional views showing encircled partsin FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22A is a second sectional view for illustrating the opening andclosing operation of the outlet shutter member according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 22B and 22C are enlarged sectional views showing encircled partsin FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A is a third sectional view for illustrating the opening andclosing operation of the outlet shutter member according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23B, 23C and 23D are enlarged sectional views showing encircledparts in FIG. 23A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the attached drawings. Descriptions will be made of aprinter as an example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a printer (i.e., an image formingapparatus) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 1, the printer includes image forming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10Mand 10C that respectively form images using toners 14 (i.e., developers)of black, yellow, magenta and cyan, and a transfer unit 21 (i.e., atransfer portion) provided along the image forming portions 10Bk, 10Y,10M and 10C. The image forming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10M and 10Crespectively include image forming units 15 and LED heads 23 (i.e.,exposure devices) provided corresponding to the image forming units 15.

A sheet cassette 31 (i.e., a medium storing portion) is provided belowthe transfer unit 21. Sheets (i.e., media) are stacked in the sheetcassette 31. The individual sheet is fed out of the sheet cassette 31,and is fed through between the respective image forming portions 10Bk,10Y, 10M and 10C and the transfer unit 21.

Each image forming unit 15 includes an image forming unit main body 15 aand a toner cartridge 13 (i.e., a developer storing body) detachablyattached to the image forming unit main body 15 a. The toner cartridge13 includes a toner storing portion 61 (i.e., a developer storingportion) for storing the toner 14.

In the image forming unit main body 15 a, a photosensitive drum 11 isprovided. The photosensitive drum 11 is in the form of a drum, and has asurface layer formed of an organic photosensitive body. Thephotosensitive drum 11 is also referred to as an image bearing body thatbears an electrostatic latent image (i.e., a latent image). Around thephotosensitive drum 11, a charging roller 12 (i.e., a charging device),a developing roller 16 (i.e., a developer bearing body), a developingblade 17 (i.e., a developer regulating member), a toner supplying roller18 (i.e., a developer supplying member) and a cleaning blade 19 (i.e., acleaning member) are arranged. The charging roller 12 is providedcontacting the photosensitive drum 11 and uniformly charges the surfaceof the photosensitive drum 11. The developing roller 16 develops thelatent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to form atoner image (i.e., a developer image). The developing blade 17 regulatesa thickness of a toner layer on the surface of the developing roller 16.The toner supplying roller 18 supplies the toner (supplied by the tonercartridge 13) to the developing roller 16. The developing roller 16, thedeveloping blade 17, the toner supplying roller 18 and the likeconstitute a developing unit.

In this embodiment, a rotation of a not shown driving motor (i.e., adriving portion) is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 11, thecharging roller 12, the developing roller 16 and the toner supplyingroller 18 via not shown gears. The photosensitive drum 11 rotates at aconstant circumferential speed. Further, the charging roller 12, thedeveloping roller 16, the toner supplying roller 18 and the like rotatein respective directions as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1.

In the image forming unit 15, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11is uniformly charged by the charging roller 12, and is exposed by theLED head 23 so that the latent image is formed on, the surface of thephotosensitive drum 11. The latent image is developed with the toner 14by the developing roller 16, and the toner image is formed on thesurface of the photosensitive drum 11.

The transfer unit 21 includes a transfer belt 24 (i.e., a belt member)stretched around not shown rollers. The transfer belt 24 is movable soas to contact the respective photosensitive drums 11 of the imageforming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10M and 10C. The transfer unit 21 furtherincludes transfer rollers 22 provided so as to face the photosensitivedrums 11 via the transfer belt 24. The transfer rollers 22 transfer thetoner images on the respective photosensitive drums 11 to the sheet(having been fed from the sheet cassette 31) fed by the transfer belt24, so that a color toner image is formed on the sheet.

The toner 14 remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11(after the transferring of the toner image) is scraped off from thesurface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the cleaning blade 19.

A fixing unit 35 (i.e., a fixing device) is provided on a downstreamside of the image forming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10M and 10C along a sheetfeeding path. The fixing unit 35 includes a fixing roller R1 as a firstroller and a pressure roller R2 as a second roller, and is configured tofix the color toner image to the sheet (having been fed from the imageforming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10M and 10C). The sheet with the color imageis ejected out of a main body of the printer.

The photosensitive drums 11, the charging rollers 12, the LED heads 23,the developing rollers 16, the toner supplying rollers 18, the transferrollers 22 and the fixing unit 35 are controlled by a not shown controlunit. The control unit applies direct voltages to the charging rollers12, the transfer rollers 22, the developing rollers 16 and the tonersupplying rollers 18 at predetermined timings, and drives the drivingmotor so as to rotate the photosensitive drums 11, the charging rollers12, the developing rollers 16, the toner supplying rollers 18 and thefixing roller R1 respectively in the directions indicated by arrows.

First conveying units 57 are provided corresponding to the respectivephotosensitive drums 11, and convey the toner 14 (having been scrapedoff by the cleaning blades 19) as a waste toner in the axial directionof the photosensitive drums 11. A second conveying unit 58 collects thewaste toner conveyed by the respective first conveying units 57, andconveys the waste toner to a waste toner storing portion 62 (i.e., awaste developer storing container) provided at an upstream end of theimage forming portions 10Bk, 10Y, 10M and 10C along the sheet feedingpath. The waste toner storing portion 62 stores the waste toner conveyedby the second conveying unit 58.

The toner cartridges 13, the image forming units 15, the waste tonerstoring portion 62 and the like are respectively formed as replaceableunits each of which can be replaced when he toner 14 is used up or whenlifetime expires i.e., when the component is deteriorated).

Next, a description will be made of a casing 80 in which the imageforming units 15 of the respective colors are housed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the casing 80 in which the imageforming units 15 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention are housed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the casing in which the imageforming units 15 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention are housed.

In FIG. 2, the respective image forming units 15 are housed in thecasing 80. The image forming unit main bodies 15 a are arranged atconstant pitches in the casing 80, and the toner cartridges 13 (notshown in FIG. 2) are detachably attached to the image forming unit mainbodies 15 a.

Both sides of each image forming unit main body 15 a are fixed to firstand second side frames 81 and 82. Guide grooves 83 are formed on aninner side of the second side frame 82. The guide grooves 83 areconfigured to guide the toner cartridges 13 when the toner cartridges 13are attached to the image forming unit main bodies 15 a.

Each image forming unit main body 15 a includes an image bearing bodyhousing portion (i.e., a first part) and a developing unit housingportion 20 (i.e., a second part). The image bearing body housing portionhouses the photosensitive drum 11, the charging roller 12, the cleaningroller 19 and the like. The developing unit housing portion 20 housesthe developing unit. The toner cartridge 13 is attached to thedeveloping unit housing portion 20.

Next, a description will be made of the developing unit housing portion20.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective viewshowing the developing unit housing portion 20 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. In this regard, the guide groove 83formed on the inner side of the second side frame 82 (FIG. 2) is alsoshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for convenience of explanation.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the developing unit housing portion 20 includes adeveloping process cartridge 70, an inlet shutter member 72 and an inletseal member 73.

The developing process cartridge 70 houses the above describeddeveloping unit therein. A toner inlet opening as a developer inletopening is formed at a substantially center part of a top of thedeveloping process cartridge 70. A driving gear 50 as a first rotationtransmitting body is provided at an end of the developing processcartridge 70. The driving gear 50 is provided for transmitting arotation to an agitation member (described later) in the toner cartridge13.

A first positioning portion 51 is formed on an end of the developingprocess cartridge 70 for determining a position of the toner cartridge13 in a height direction, a longitudinal direction and a widthwisedirection. A second positioning portion 52 is formed on the other end ofthe developing process cartridge 70 for determining a position of thetoner cartridge 13 in the longitudinal direction and the widthwisedirection. Further, first and second locking portions 53 and 56 areformed on the developing process cartridge 70 for locking the tonercartridge 13 with respect to the developing process cartridge 70.

The inlet shutter member 72 has a frame-like shape, and includes frameportions 172 and 173 extending parallel to each other in thelongitudinal direction of the developing process cartridge 70,connection members 175 and 176 that connect both ends of the frameportions 172 and 173. The inlet shutter member 72 is detachably attachedto the developing process cartridge 70. The inlet shutter member 72 ismovable in a longitudinal direction of the developing process cartridge70 as indicated by an arrow “a” in FIG. 3 so as to open and close thetoner inlet opening 71.

The developing process cartridge 70 has a pair of first guide rails 76 aand 76 b disposed at a first portion in the longitudinal direction, andthe first guide rails 76 a and 76 b extend parallel to each other. Thedeveloping process cartridge 70 further has a pair of second guide rails77 a and 77 b disposed at a second portion in the longitudinal directionapart from the first position by a predetermined distance, and thesecond guide rails 77 a and 77 b extend parallel to each other. Theinlet shutter member 72 has a pair of first to-be-guided rails 74 eachprovided on an end of the respective frame members 172 and 173 so as tocorrespond to the first guide rails 76 a and 76 b. The firstto-be-guided rails 74 extend in the longitudinal direction of the firstguide rails 76 a and 76 b. In this regard, only one of the firstto-be-guided rails 74 (provided on the frame member 172) is shown inFIG. 4. The inlet shutter member 72 has a pair of second to-be-guidedrails 75 provided on the other ends of the frame members 172 and 173 soas to correspond to the second guide rails 77 a and 77 b. The secondto-be-guided rails 75 extend in the longitudinal direction of the secondguide rails 77 a and 77 b. In this regard, only one of the secondto-be-guided rails 75 (provided on the frame member 172) is shown inFIG, 4, The above described first guide rails 76 a and 76 b are formedso as to sandwich the inlet shutter member 72 therebetween.

The first guide rails 76 a and 76 b respectively engage the firstto-be-guided rails 74, and the second guide rails 77 a and 77 brespectively engage the second to-be-guided rails 75, so that the inletshutter member 72 is slidable (movable) on the developing processcartridge 70 in the direction indicated by the arrow “a” in FIG. 3.

Further, the inlet seal member 73 is fixed to the developing processcartridge 70 by means of adhesion so as to surround the toner inletopening 71. The inlet seal member 73 is compressed between the tonerinlet opening 71 and the inlet shutter member 72, and seals between thetoner inlet opening 71 and the inlet shutter member 72. For thispurpose, a low-friction coating is formed on a sliding surface (pressedagainst the inlet shutter member 72) of the inlet seal member 73. Inother words, the sliding surface of the inlet seal member 73 issubjected to low-friction treatment, so as not to apply a large load tothe inlet shutter member 72 when the inlet shutter member 72 is moved.

The developing unit housing portion 20 is so configured as to preventthe toner inlet opening 71 from being opened when the inlet shuttermember 72 is erroneously operated to move from a closing position (i.e.,a position to close the toner inlet opening 71) in a state where thetoner cartridge 13 is not attached to the developing unit housingportion 20 (i.e., not attached to the image forming unit main body 15a). Zone Name: a8,AMD

For this purpose, a first regulating portion 78 is provided on an end ofthe first guide rail 76 a, and a further first regulating portion 78 isprovided on an end of the first guide rail 76 b. A second regulatingportion 79 having snap-fit features is provided another end of the firstguide rail 76 a, and a further second regulating portion 79 is providedon another end of the first guide rail 76 b. The first and secondregulating portions 78 and 79 respectively engage corresponding portionsof the inlet shutter member 72.

In this regard, the toner cartridge 13 has an outlet shutter member 91(FIG. 5) as described later. The outlet shutter member 91 is moved so asto open and close a toner outlet opening 98 (FIG. 7) as described later.The movement of the outlet shutter member 91 is regulated (prevented) ina state where the toner cartridge 13 is not attached to the developingunit housing portion 20.

For this purpose, the inlet shutter member 72 has outlet shutterregulation releasing portions 54 formed on one end of the frame members172 and 173. The outlet shutter regulation releasing portions 54 presssecond regulating portions 46 (described later) of the toner cartridge13 to release the regulation of the movement of the outlet shuttermember 91 when the toner cartridge 13 is attached to the developing unithousing portion 20.

The inlet shutter member 72 has a to-be-coupled portion 55 provided onthe frame members 172 and 173. In the state where the toner cartridge 13is attached to the developing unit housing portion 20, the to-be-coupledportion 55 causes the inlet shutter member 72 to move in conjunctionwith the outlet shutter member 91 according to the movement of theoutlet shutter member 91.

In this regard, when the inlet shutter member 72 is moved toward anopening position (i.e., a position to open the toner inlet opening 71),the second locking portions 56 lock the toner cartridge 13 with respectto the developing unit housing portion 20.

Next, a description will be made of the toner cartridge 13.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are first and second perspective views showing the tonercartridge 13 according to the first embodiment of the present inventionas seen from different directions. FIGS. 7 and 8 are an explodedperspective view and a front view showing the toner cartridge 13according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is asectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a side view asseen from a direction shown by an arrow 10 in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is asectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the toner cartridge 13 includes acartridge main body 90, the outlet shutter member 91, an agitationmember 92, an agitation driving gear 93 (as a second transmitting bodyfor rotating the agitation member 92), a lid member 94, a cover member95, an outlet seal member 96 and an agitation seal member 97.

The cartridge main body 90 is in the form of a rectangular tube having asubstantially rectangular cross section and having a bottom. An end(i.e., a first end) of the cartridge main body 90 is closed, and theother end (i.e., a second end) of the cartridge main body 90 is opened.The lid member 94 is fixed to the opened end (i.e., the second end) ofthe cartridge main body 90 by means of welding or the like, so as toseal the cartridge main body 90 and to form a space for storing thetoner 14. The cartridge main body 90 has the toner outlet opening 98 asa developer outlet opening formed at a substantially center part (in alongitudinal direction) of a bottom of the cartridge main body 90. Thecartridge main body 90 has an end plate 190 (FIG. 11) at the closed end(i.e., the first end) to which the cover member 95 is mounted. Anagitation shaft hole 99 (FIG. 11) as a through hole is formed on the endplate 190. First operation indicators 49 a and 49 b (FIG. 5) areprovided on the upper surface of the cartridge main body 90 based onwhich an operator visually recognizes a position of the outlet shuttermember 91.

The outlet shutter member 91 is provided so as to surround the cartridgemain body 90, and is movable (slidable) in the longitudinal direction ofthe cartridge main body 90 as indicated by an arrow “b” in FIG. 5 so asto open and close the toner outlet opening 98. For this purpose, theoutlet shutter member 91 has an opening 63 (FIG. 6) that leads to thetoner outlet opening 98 when the outlet shutter member 91 is in anopening position.

The outlet shutter member 91 has a second operation indicator 67 basedon which the operator visually recognizes a position of the outletshutter member 91. Further, the outlet shutter member 91 has a gripportion 68 at which the operator holds the cartridge main body 90, andan operating portion 69 to which the operator applies a force in amoving direction of the outlet shutter member 91 while distributing theforce downwardly. The provision of the operating portion 69 facilitatesthe movement of the toner cartridge 13. A plurality of grooves 91m areformed on an inner surface of the outlet shutter member 91. Theprovision of the grooves 91m reduces a contact area between thecartridge main body 90 and the outlet shutter member 91, and therefore alarge torque is not applied to the outlet shutter member 91 when theoutlet shutter member 91 is moved.

As shown in FIG. 11, the agitation member 92 is provided in thecartridge main body 90 and is rotatably supported by the end plate 190and the lid member 94. The agitation member 92 rotates and agitates thetoner 14 in the cartridge main body 90 so as to eject a stable amount ofthe toner 14 via the toner outlet opening 98. For this purpose, a gearconnecting portion 25 (with a latch engagement groove and a D-cutportion) is formed on an end of the agitation member 92. The gearconnecting portion 25 penetrates the agitation shaft hole 99 of the endplate 190, and engages the agitation driving gear 93 (inside the covermember 95) by means of latching engagement. The lid member 94 has anagitation shaft groove 26 at an inner side surface thereof.

The agitation member 92 is rotated by the rotation of the agitationdriving gear 93, and the agitation member is prevented from beingdropped out of the agitation driving gear 93. The gear connectingportion 25 and the agitation driving gear 93 constitute a rotationtransmitting portion.

As shown in FIG. 7, in order to determine the position of the agitationmember 92 with respect to the cartridge main body 90, a positioningfitting portion 27 (i.e., a positioning member) is formed inside andalong a circumference of the lid member 94. The positioning fittingportion 27 engages a positioning groove 28 (i.e., a positioning member)formed on an inner side of the cartridge main body 90. Further, latchengagement holes 29 (i.e., engaging portions) are formed on acircumference of the cover member 95. The latch engagement holes 29engage latch engagement portions 30 (i.e., engaging portions) formed onthe cartridge main body 90.

The outlet seal member 96 is compressed between the toner outlet opening98 and the outlet shutter member 91, and seals between the toner outletopening 98 and the outlet shutter member 91. For this purpose, alow-friction coating is formed on a sliding surface (pressed against thecartridge main body 90) of the outlet seal member 96. In other words,the sliding surface of the outlet seal member 96 is subjected tolow-friction treatment, so as not to apply a large load to the outletshutter member 91 when the outlet shutter member 91 is moved.

The agitation seal member 97 seals the agitation shaft hole 99 in acompressed state. For this purpose, a low-friction coating is formed onsliding surfaces of the agitation seal member 97 pressed against theagitation member 92 and the end plate 190. In other words, the slidingsurfaces of the agitation seal member 97 are subjected to low-frictiontreatment, so as not to apply a large load to the agitation seal member97 when the agitation member 92 is rotated.

The cartridge main body 90 has first and second regulating portions 45and 46 formed on the bottom of the cartridge main body 90. The first andsecond regulating portions 45 and 46 contact the outlet shutter member91 to thereby regulate the movement of the outlet shutter member 91.Further, position regulating holes 87 a and 87 b (i.e., positionregulating portions) are formed on the bottom of the outlet shuttermember 91. The position regulating holes 87 a and 87 b engage the secondregulating portions 46 of the cartridge main body 90 so as to preventthe movement of the outlet shutter member 91 from the closing positionor the opening position.

The lid member 94 has a guide rib 85 (FIG. 7) guided by the guide groove83 of the second side frame 82 (FIG. 2). The cover member 95 has firstto-be-positioned portions 86 (i.e., positioning pins) as protrusions asshown in FIG. 10 (also shown in FIG. 12). The first to-be-positionedportions 86 protrude in a predetermined direction. Particularly, in thisembodiment, the first to-be-positioned portions 86 protrude in adirection in which the outlet shutter member 91 is movable. The firstto-be-positioned portions 86 engage holes of the first positioningportion 51 of the developing process cartridge (FIG. 4), and determinethe position of the toner cartridge 13 in the height direction and inthe widthwise direction.

The outlet shutter member 91 has inlet shutter regulation releasingportions 64 (FIG. 7) that press the second regulating portions 79 torelease the regulation of the movement of the inlet shutter member 72.The outlet shutter member 91 further has a coupling portion 65 thatcauses the inlet shutter member 72 to move together with the outletshutter member 91, and a first to-be-locked portion 66 (FIGS. 6-8, 10)brought into engagement with the first locking portion 53 (FIG. 4).

The cartridge main body 90 includes a second to-be-positioned portion 47that engages the second positioning portion 52 (FIG. 4) of thedeveloping process cartridge 70 and determines the position of the tonercartridge 13 in the longitudinal direction and in the widthwisedirection. The cartridge main body 90 further has second to-be-lockedportions 48 (FIG. 7) which are brought into engagement with the secondlocking portions 56 (FIG. 4) of the inlet shutter member 72 when theoutlet shutter member 91 moves toward the opening position. The secondto-be-locked portions 48 protrude in a direction substantially the sameas the movable direction of the outlet shutter member 91.

Next, a description will be made of an attaching and detaching operationof the toner cartridge 13 with respect to the image forming unit mainbody 15 a according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 are perspective views showing the attaching anddetaching operation of the toner cartridge 13 with respect to the imageforming unit main body 15 a according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention. FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are perspective views showing theinlet shutter member 72 (together with the toner cartridge 13) duringthe attaching and detaching operation of the toner cartridge 13 withrespect to the image forming unit main body 15 a. In FIGS. 12 through18, the guide groove 83 formed on the inner side of the second sideframe 82 (FIG. 2) is also shown for convenience of explanation.

First, the attaching operation of the toner cartridge 13 to the imageforming unit main body 15 a will be described.

In order to attach the toner cartridge 13 to the image forming unit mainbody 15 a, the operator holds the grip portion 68 of the outlet shuttermember 91, and moves the toner cartridge 13 in a direction indicated byan arrow “C” in FIG. 12 so that the first to- be-positioned portions 86(i.e., the protrusions) engage the first positioning portion 51 of thedeveloping process cartridge 70.

Then, the operator inserts the guide rib 85 (FIG. 7) of the tonercartridge 13 into the guide groove 83 of the second side frame 82 asshown in FIG. 13, and moves the guide rib 85 downward along the guidegroove 83, so that the toner cartridge 13 is placed parallel on thedeveloping process cartridge 70 as shown in FIG. 14. In this state, themovable direction of the outlet shutter member 91 coincides with thelongitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 13.

In this state, the second to-be-positioned portion (FIG. 17) of thetoner cartridge 13 engages the second positioning portion 52 (FIG. 4) ofthe developing process cartridge 70, and the coupling portion 65 (FIG.17) of the toner cartridge 13 engages the to-be-coupled portion 55 (FIG.4) of the developing process cartridge 70. Further, the outlet shutterregulation releasing portions 54 (FIG. 4) of the inlet shutter member 72press the second regulating portions 46 (FIG. 16) of the toner cartridge13, and the inlet shutter regulation releasing portions 64 (FIG. 17) ofthe toner cartridge 13 press the second regulating portions 79 (FIG. 4)of the developing process cartridge 70. Therefore, the second regulatingportions 46 of the toner cartridge 13 and the second regulating portions79 of the developing process cartridge 70 are displaced, so as torelease the regulations of movements of the outlet shutter member 91 andthe inlet shutter member 72 toward the respective opening positions.

Then, the operator pushes the operating portion 69 of the outlet shuttermember 91 to move the outlet shutter member 91 toward the openingposition as shown in FIG. 15. According to the movement of the outletshutter member 91, the inlet shutter member 72 also moves toward theopening position as shown in FIG. 18. At the same time, the secondlocking portions 56 of the inlet shutter member 72 start engaging thesecond to-be-locked portions 48 of the cartridge main body 90, andtherefore the toner cartridge 13 is prevented from being detached fromthe image forming unit main body 15 a. Further, the movable direction ofthe outlet shutter member 91 coincides with a direction in which thesecond locking portions 56 engage the second to-be-locked portions 48.

When the outlet shutter member 91 reaches the opening position, theoperator recognizes that the outlet shutter member 91 reaches theopening position based on the first operation indicator 49 a. In thisstate, the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member 72fully open the toner outlet opening 98 and the toner inlet opening 71(FIG. 4) so that the toner outlet opening 98 leads to the toner inletopening 71. As shown in FIG. 15, the first locking portion 53 of thedeveloping process cartridge 70 engages the first to-be-locked portion66 of the outlet shutter member 91, so that the developing processcartridge 70 and the outlet shutter member 91 engage each other on bothof the toner outlet opening 98 side and the toner inlet opening 71 side.In this state, the position regulating holes 87 b (FIG. 7) of the outletshutter member 91 engage the second regulating portions 46 (FIG. 7) ofthe cartridge main body 90, and therefore the movement of the outletshutter member 91 is regulated.

Next, the detaching operation of the toner cartridge from the imageforming unit main body 15 a will be described.

In order to detach the toner cartridge 13 from the image forming unitmain body 15 a, the operator pushes the operating portion 69 of theoutlet shutter member 91 to move the outlet shutter member 91 toward theclosing position. According to the movement of the outlet shutter member91, the inlet shutter member 72 also moves toward the closing position.When the outlet shutter member 91 reaches the closing position, theoperator recognizes that the outlet shutter member 91 reaches theclosing position based on the first operation indicator 49 b. In thisstate, the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member 72fully close the toner outlet opening 98 and the toner inlet opening 71(FIG. 4).

In this state, engagement between the first to-be-locked portion 66(FIG. 15) of the outlet shutter member and the first locking portion 53of the developing process cartridge 70 is released. Further, engagementbetween the second to-be-locked portion 48 (FIG. 18) of the cartridgemain body 90 and the second locking portions 56 of the inlet shuttermember 72 is released. Therefore, the operator is able to lift the tonercartridge 13 from the image forming unit main body 15 a.

In a state where the toner outlet opening 98 and the toner inlet opening71 are fully closed, the outlet shutter member 91 contacts the firstregulating portion 45 of the cartridge main body 90 as shown in FIG. 17,and therefore the movement of the outlet shutter member 91 toward theopening position is prevented. That is, an erroneous operation of theoutlet shutter member 91 is prevented.

From this state, the operator lifts the guide rib 85 side of the tonercartridge 13 and moves the toner cartridge 13 upward while keeping thetoner cartridge 13 inclined, with the result that the toner cartridge 13is detached from the image forming unit main body 15 a.

Advantages of the first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

In the case where a grip portion of a toner cartridge and an operatingportion of a shutter member are disposed distant from each other and areoperated in different directions, operability of the attaching anddetaching operation (i.e., replacing operation) is not satisfactory.

In contrast, according to the first embodiment of the present invention,the movable direction of the outlet shutter member 91 coincides with theattaching/detaching direction of the toner cartridge 13 with respect tothe image forming unit main body 15 a. Therefore, the operator is ableto move the outlet shutter member 91 in the same direction as theattaching/detaching direction of the toner cartridge 13. That is, theoperator is able to intuitively handle the toner cartridge 13 with fewmotions. Thus, operability of the replacing operation the tonercartridge 13 is enhanced.

Further, since the grip portion 68 and the operating portion 69 (both ofwhich are formed on the outlet shutter member 91) are disposed close toeach other, operability of the replacing operation of the tonercartridge 13 is further enhanced.

Furthermore, the outlet shutter member 91 is disposed so as to surroundthe outer circumference of the cartridge main body 90, and the gripportion 68 and the operating portion 69 are integrally formed with theoutlet shutter member 91. Therefore, the size of the toner cartridge 13can be reduced, and a relatively large amount of toner 14 can be storedin the toner cartridge 13 with respect to the entire volume of the tonercartridge 13.

Second Embodiment

Next, a description will be made of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. In the description of the second embodiment, componentshaving the same structures as those of the first embodiment are assignedthe same reference numerals. Regarding advantages obtained by thecomponents having the same structures as those of the first embodiment,descriptions in the first embodiment are herein incorporated.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a toner cartridge 43 of the secondembodiment of the present invention in a state where the outlet shuttermember 91 is in the opening position. FIG. 20 is a perspective viewshowing the toner cartridge 43 of the second embodiment in a state wherethe outlet shutter member 91 is in the closing position. FIGS. 21A, 22Aand 23A are sectional views showing opening/closing operation of theoutlet shutter member 91 according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 21Band 21C are enlarged sectional views showing encircled parts in FIG.21A. FIGS. 22B and 22C are enlarged sectional views showing encircledparts in FIG. 22A. FIGS. 23B, 23C and 23D are enlarged sectional viewsshowing encircled parts in FIG. 23A.

In this case, the toner cartridge 43 as a developer storing bodyincludes a cartridge main body 41, the outlet shutter member 91, theagitation member 92 (FIG. 7), the agitation driving gear 93 (FIG. 7),the lid member 94, the cover member 95, an outlet seal member 196 (FIG.21A), the agitation seal member 97 (FIG. 7), a toner withdrawing portion89 and a withdrawing portion seal member 42.

As shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C, the outlet seal member 196 is fixedto the cartridge main body 90 by means of adhesion. A bottom surface ofthe withdrawing portion seal member 42 is covered with a film 42 a.

Further, the cartridge main body 41 has first regulating portions 88corresponding to the first regulating portions 78 (FIG. 4) of the firstembodiment. The toner withdrawing portion 89 is formed integrally withthe first regulating portions 88. The withdrawing portion seal member 42is fixed to the inner side of the toner withdrawing portion 89 by meansof adhesion. The withdrawing portion seal member 42 is compressedbetween the toner withdrawing portion 89 and the outlet shutter member91 so as to seal between the toner withdrawing portion 89 and the outletshutter member 91. For this purpose, a low-friction coating is formed ona sliding surface of the withdrawing portion seal member 42 contactingthe outlet shutter member 91, so as not to apply a large load to theoutlet shutter member 91 during the movement of the outlet shuttermember 91.

The toner withdrawing portion 89 is a portion at which the toner 14 iswithdrawn from a connecting portion between the toner outlet opening 98and the toner inlet opening 71 (via the opening 63 of the outlet shuttermember 91) when, for example, the outlet shutter member 91 and the inletshutter member 72 move from respective opening positions (FIGS. 21Athrough 21C) to respective closing positions (FIGS. 23A through 23D) ina state where the toner 14 remains in the toner cartridge 43. Theprovision of the toner withdrawing portion 89 prevents the toner 14 fromfalling onto the image forming unit main body 15 a when the outletshutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member 72 move.

When the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member 72 are inthe opening positions where the toner outlet opening 98 and the tonerinlet opening 71 are connected to each other as shown in FIGS. 21Athrough 21C, a connection portion therebetween has a thickness equal toa sum of thicknesses of the outlet shutter member 91, the outlet sealmember 196 (compressed) and the inlet seal member 73 (compressed). Ifthe image forming unit main body 15 a is filled with the toner 14 and ifthe toner cartridge 43 contains remaining toner 14, it means that thetoner 14 also exists in the connecting portion between the toner outletopening 98 and the toner inlet opening 71.

In such a case, when the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shuttermember 72 move toward the closing positions as shown in FIGS. 22Athrough 22D, the toner 14 in the connecting portion is pushed by tips ofthe outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member 72, so thatthe toner 14′ is pushed out in the moving direction. Such a toner 14passes the inlet seal member 73 and moves onto the toner withdrawingportion 89 adjacent to the inlet seal member 73, without falling ontothe image forming unit main body 15 a.

Further, when the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member72 reach the respective opening positions as shown in FIGS. 23A through23D, the toner 14 on the toner withdrawing portion 89 is enclosed in aclosed-space defined by the opening 63 of the outlet shutter member 91,the outlet seal member 196 and the withdrawing portion seal member 42.Therefore, the replacing operation of the toner cartridge 43 can becompleted without causing the toner 14 to fall onto the image formingunit main body 15 a.

Further, when the outlet shutter member 91 and the inlet shutter member72 are again moved toward the opening positions, the toner 14 in theabove described closed-space moves back to the connecting portionbetween the toner outlet opening 98 and the toner inlet opening 71.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the tonerwithdrawing portion 89 is provided, and therefore the toner 14 isprevented from falling onto the image forming unit main body 15 a andsoiling the image forming unit main body 15 a.

In the above described embodiments, the printer has been described as anexample of the image forming apparatus. However, the present inventionis applicable to, for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, a combinedmachine or the like.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications andimprovements may be made to the invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

1. A developer storing body detachably attached to an image forming unitmain body of an image forming unit, said developer storing bodycomprising: a cartridge main body for storing a developer, saidcartridge main body having a developer outlet opening through which saiddeveloper is ejected, and an outlet shutter member movable with respectto said cartridge main body so as to open and close said developeroutlet opening, wherein a movable direction of said outlet shuttermember is substantially the same as a direction in which said developerstoring body is attached to and detached from said image forming unitmain body.
 2. The developer storing body according to claim 1, whereinsaid movable direction of said outlet shutter member is substantiallythe same as a longitudinal direction of said developer storing body. 3.The developer storing body according to claim 1, wherein said cartridgemain body has a to-be-locked portion which is brought into engagementwith a locking portion of said image forming unit main body, and whereinsaid movable direction of, aid outlet shutter member is substantiallythe same as a direction in which said to-be-locked portion and saidlocking portion engage each other.
 4. The developer storing bodyaccording to claim 3, wherein said to-be-locked portion protrudes in adirection substantially parallel to said movable direction of saidoutlet shutter member.
 5. The developer storing body according to claim1, wherein said outlet shutter member is configured to surround saidcartridge main body.
 6. The developer storing body according to claim 1,wherein said outlet shutter member has an operating portion integrallyformed therewith.
 7. The developer storing body according to claim 1,wherein said cartridge main body has a substantially rectangular crosssection.
 8. The developer storing body according to claim 1, furthercomprising a developer withdrawing portion at which a part of saiddeveloper is withdrawn when said outlet shutter member moves toward aclosing position to close said developer outlet opening.
 9. Thedeveloper storing body according to claim 8, wherein said developerwithdrawing portion is formed integrally with said cartridge main body.10. The developer storing body according to claim 1, wherein a sealmember is provided between said outlet shutter member and said cartridgemain body.
 11. The developer storing body according to claim 10, whereinsaid seal member has a sliding surface subjected to low-frictiontreatment.
 12. The developer storing body according to claim 1, furthercomprising a regulating portion that prevents an erroneous movement ofsaid outlet shutter member.
 13. An image forming unit comprising: saiddeveloper storing body according to claim 1, an image forming unit mainbody to which said developer storing body is detachably attached,wherein said image forming unit main body includes a developing processcartridge with a developer inlet opening for receiving said developerejected from said developer storing body, and an inlet shutter memberfor opening and closing said developer inlet opening; wherein saiddeveloping process cartridge has a locking portion that engages ato-be-locked portion of said developer storing body, and wherein saidinlet shutter member is movable in conjunction with said outlet shuttermember of said developer storing body.
 14. An image forming apparatus towhich said image forming unit according to claim 13 is mounted.
 15. Adeveloper storing body comprising: a cartridge main body for storing adeveloper, said cartridge main body having a developer outlet openingthrough which said developer is ejected, and an outlet shutter membermovable with respect to said cartridge main body, said outlet shuttermember being moved by an operation of an operating portion so as to openand close said developer outlet opening, wherein said cartridge mainbody has a protrusion protruding in a predetermined direction, andwherein said outlet shutter member is movable in a directionsubstantially parallel to said predetermined direction in which saidprotrusion protrudes.
 16. The developer storing body according to claim15, wherein said protrusion is provided at an end of said cartridge mainbody in a longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein said operatingportion is movable in said longitudinal direction of said cartridge mainbody.
 17. An image forming unit comprising: said developer storing bodyaccording to claim 15, an image forming unit main body to which saiddeveloper storing body is detachably attached, wherein said imageforming unit main body includes a developing process cartridge having adeveloper inlet opening for receiving said developer ejected from saiddeveloper storing body and an inlet shutter member for opening andclosing said developer inlet opening; wherein said developing processcartridge has a locking portion that engages a to-be-locked portion ofsaid developer storing body, and wherein said inlet shutter member ismovable in conjunction said outlet member of said developer storingbody.
 18. An image forming apparatus to which said image forming unitaccording to claim 17 is mounted.